Shoppers across the UK have found themselves at the center of a whirlwind of announcements from Marks & Spencer (M&S) this week, as the retail giant issued urgent product recalls, unveiled fresh discounts on popular gift sets, and laid out ambitious plans for expansion and modernization. The developments, which come just as the holiday shopping season hits its fever pitch, reflect both the challenges and opportunities facing one of Britain’s most storied high-street names.
On December 19, 2025, M&S shoppers were hit with a stark warning: stop using certain neon candles sold by the retailer "immediately," as they may pose a fire risk. According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards, the £10 candles—on sale since July 29, 2023—were found not to meet safety regulations and could "flare up while burning," potentially igniting nearby objects and causing a fire to spread. The affected products include a range of festive and celebratory candles, such as the Neon Tree Candle, Neon Ho Ho Ho Candle, Neon Birthday Candle, Neon Celebrate Candle, Neon Radiating Heart Candle, and the Halloween Neon Bat Candle, each identified by specific product codes.
M&S responded swiftly, removing the candles from sale both online and in stores, and launching a full recall. Shoppers who purchased the 120g candles are being urged to return them to any M&S store (excluding outlets and franchises) for a full refund. "The Neon Candle product could flare up. We recommend owners stop using the product immediately. The product is no longer available for sale online or in store. We're recalling it," a spokesperson for M&S told Kennedy News & Media. The spokesperson added, "Customers who have purchased this product can return it to any M&S store...for a full refund. We're very sorry for any inconvenience caused."
The Office for Product Safety and Standards echoed the urgency, stating, "The candles present a risk of fire as they may flare up while burning. If left unattended, the flare may ignite nearby objects and potentially cause a fire to spread throughout the room. The products do not meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulation 2005. The product has been recalled from end users. We recommend consumers stop using the product immediately."
While the recall dominated headlines, M&S was simultaneously drawing positive attention with a major price cut on its top-selling Full Fragrance Eau de Toilette Collection. Just in time for last-minute Christmas shoppers, the company slashed the price of the nine-bottle set from £50 to £30—meaning customers pay just £3 per 30ml bottle. The collection features an array of scents, including Velvet Amber, White Jasmine, Winter Nights, Sweet Frangipani, Sweet Pistachio, Pink Pepper, White Coconut, and Fresh Mandarin.
The response from shoppers was swift: more than 100 sets were sold in the five days leading up to the announcement, and the collection quickly claimed the top spot in M&S’s gifting section. In the product description, M&S encourages customers to "experiment with newer scents, such as Sweet Frangipani, Sweet Pistachio, White Jasmine, and the limited-edition Winter Nights. Use individually or layer the fragrances to create a signature scent." The company further highlights the collection’s versatility: "From delicate, fruity undertones to bold amber accents, trying different options is essential when discovering the fragrance that complements you perfectly."
Customer reviews for the perfume set have been overwhelmingly positive, with an average rating of 4.6 out of five stars. One delighted shopper wrote, "They all smell lovely I was expecting 1 or 2 to be not nice, so really happy. I also ordered a couple more of them for gifts and easily picked up from a local store." Another commented, "Great quality smells amazing would definitely recommend." However, not all feedback was glowing. A few customers reported issues such as bottles arriving partially filled or with damaged packaging, though these complaints were in the minority. "I bought 2 of these collections, but unfortunately, when they arrived, one bottle was only 1/3 full. Very disappointed as they were bought as Christmas presents," one customer shared.
In the realm of cosy comfort, M&S’s £28 Teddy Borg Wrap Lounge Cardigan has also been making waves among shoppers looking to stay warm as winter temperatures drop. Available in dark raspberry and ivory, and in sizes ranging from extra small to extra large, the cardigan is crafted from ultra-soft teddy borg fabric and features a wrap-around design, two pockets, and extra-long sleeves. It is both machine-washable and tumble-dryer-friendly, making it a practical addition to any loungewear collection.
The reviews have been effusive. As reported by BristolLive, one shopper declared, "Great buy. Warm and cosy without being restrictive. Easy to put on and take off is a definite advantage. Very warm." Another enthused, "A lovely soft layer to curl up in on dark chilly evenings." Yet, as is often the case, there were a few caveats—one customer noted that the large cuffs could be a nuisance when washing up or cooking. Still, the consensus was clear: the cardigan is a hit, especially as a gift for loved ones seeking comfort during the cold months.
Beyond products and promotions, M&S has its sights set on the future. On December 19, the retailer announced a bold plan to search for new locations across the UK—including towns like Stroud and Nailsworth—as part of its strategy to double the size of its food business and modernize its store estate. The company is evaluating 500 potential locations, with more than half of its stores, including convenience outlets, expected to be updated to the new “renewal” format by April 2028. Central to this plan is the opening of larger food stores, averaging 18,000 square feet, to stock the full range of M&S Food. The retailer recently acquired 12 former Homebase sites to convert into some of its largest standalone food stores, with the first set to open in Cannock before Christmas.
Alex Freudmann, managing director of M&S Food, expressed optimism about the expansion. "The strong performance of our new M&S food stores gives us the confidence to explore even more locations across the UK, from Elgin to Exmouth. With more than twenty stores opening or modernised before the end of the financial year, we are moving faster. Our team want new sites where we could open a large M&S Food store as we deliver on our strategy to bring the right stores to the right places and offer the best shopping experience, range and availability for our customers."
Meanwhile, M&S is also navigating the broader economic and political landscape. On December 18, the company voiced strong support for a pragmatic UK-EU food trade deal to reduce post-Brexit costs and complexity. As reported by the Evening Standard, M&S has 32 million customers and employs 65,000 staff, with stores across Britain, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. The retailer highlighted ongoing difficulties in moving food from Great Britain to the EU, even five years after Brexit. While the Windsor Framework eased goods movement to Northern Ireland, it introduced new costs, such as the need to label thousands of products individually with "Not for EU"—a requirement that disrupts factory operations and drives up costs for consumers.
The UK government aims to wrap up negotiations on a food and drink trade deal and carbon markets linkage before the next UK-EU summit in spring 2026, and is also set to start talks on UK participation in the EU’s internal electricity market, which could lower electricity costs domestically. For M&S, the stakes are clear: "The sooner the deal can be reached the better, so our customers can start benefiting from greater choice and better value. Crucially, it will also unlock barriers to investment and allow us to explore future investment opportunities in new sites and stores across the UK...and the Republic of Ireland—supporting job creation and economic growth."
As the year draws to a close, M&S finds itself at the crossroads of consumer safety, value, comfort, and strategic growth. The company’s rapid response to product safety concerns, its customer-focused promotions, and its ambitious expansion plans all point to a retailer determined to adapt and thrive in a changing Britain—one candle, cardigan, and food store at a time.
